Automakers wasted no time in trying to appeal to customers with more environmentally friendly cars at the International Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany, on Monday, as General Motors Corp. unveiled a new hybrid compact — one among many vehicles at the show with advanced propulsion systems and cleaner engines.

'This may be a pivotal year for the industry in the battle for greener cars and the gloves have come off.'—Ted Grozier, auto industry analyst

GM showed off its Flextreme from European subsidiary Opel, a small commuter car with an electric-diesel hybrid that can travel 55 kilometres on a single battery charge before switching to fuel. It is a concept car, meaning it may or may not go into production.

An Opel Flextreme electric car at the International Car Show in Frankfurt, Germany, Tuesday.
(Michael Probst/Associated Press)

The show, which runs from Sept. 13-23, reflects concerns about high gas prices, fuel efficiency and global warming by putting green products and technologies in focus: lower-emission diesels, new hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells — some market-ready, others as concepts.

The Flextreme uses a battery to produce no emissions directly — and packs a small turbo-diesel engine for when the juice runs dry. GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz described the lozenge-shaped car as a solution for commuters concerned about environmental impact.

"Commutes to major city-centres in Europe will do nothing but grow more challenging in the future," he said, adding that "we see E-Flex vehicles as an elegant solution for commuters."

Matthias Wissmann, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, said Monday that 1,081 companies were on hand for the show, where 88 new models would debut.

France's Renault SA surprised many when its chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, said the company would build the Sandero, a five-door hatchback, in Brazil, part of an effort to expand market share in South America.

Industry shifts focus from gas guzzlers to green cars

Auto industry green expert Ted Grozier said the show will see the industry keep up its efforts to reduce its reliance on gas-guzzling larger vehicles.

"The conventional wisdom is that the U.S. will go hybrid and in Europe the diesel is being challenged," said Grozier of Green Order, a New York-based advisory group that counts General Motors Corp., among others, as clients for its advice on how to make cars cleaner.

"This may be a pivotal year for the industry in the battle for greener cars and the gloves have come off," he said.

BMW AG, Porsche AG, Volkswagen AG and DaimlerChrysler AG will all be showing cars with low-emission diesel engines or hybrids that feature traditional fuel motors augmented by electrical power. It is all part of the effort to make high-mileage, cleaner cars that also meet drivers' expectations for performance.

Swedish automaker Volvo AB, owned by Ford Motor Co., will have its plug-in hybrid concept at the show. Called the ReCharge and based on its C30 hatchback, the hybrid is similar to GM's Chevrolet Volt, which was unveiled at the Detroit auto show earlier this year.

Japan's Nissan Motor Co. will feature its Mixim concept car, an electric car powered by lithium ion batteries with the driver's seat in the middle, and steering controls inspired by video game controllers. Unsurprisingly, it is geared toward younger drivers who spend a lot of time behind a computer keyboard.